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More On The Humor-Health
Connection: New Study Finds Anticipating A Laugh Reduces Stress Hormones
By
seeking out positive experiences that make us laugh we can do a lot on
our own to stay well
SAN DIEGO, CA – In 2006 researchers
investigating the interaction between the brain, behavior, and the immune
system found that simply anticipating a mirthful laughter experience boosted
health-protecting hormones. Now, two years later, the same researchers have
found that the anticipation of a positive humorous laughter experience also
reduces potentially detrimental stress
hormones. According to Dr. Lee Berk, the study team’s lead researcher of
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, “Our findings lead us to believe that
by seeking out positive experiences that make us laugh we can do a lot with
our physiology to stay well.”
In their earlier work the researchers found that the
anticipation of “mirthful laughter” had surprising and significant effects.
Two hormones – beta-endorphins (the family of chemicals that alleviates
depression) and human growth hormone (HGH; which helps with immunity) –
increased by 27 and 87 percent respectively when volunteers anticipated
watching a humorous video. There was no such increase among the control
group who did not anticipate watching the humor film.
Using a similar protocol, the current research found
that the same anticipation of laughter also reduced the levels of three
stress hormones. Cortisol (termed “the stress hormone”), epinephrine (also
known as adrenaline) and dopac, a dopamine catabolite
(brain chemical which helps produce epinephrine), were reduced 39, 70
and 38 percent, respectively (statistically
significant compared to the control group).
Chronically released high stress hormone levels can weaken the immune
system.
The research is entitled Cortisol and Catecholamine
Stress Hormone Decrease Is Associated with the Behavior of Perceptual
Anticipation of Mirthful Laughter. It was conducted by Lee Berk with
Stanley A. Tan, both of the Oak Crest Health Research Institute, Loma Linda,
CA; and Dottie Berk, Loma Linda University Health Care, Loma Linda. Lee
Berk is presenting the team’s findings at the 121st Annual
Meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS;
www.the-APS.org/press), part of the Experimental Biology 2008 scientific
conference.
The Study
Having found that the anticipation of a laughter event
increased certain “beneficial” chemicals/hormones, the researchers proposed that the
anticipation of a laughter event might reduce stress hormones. To test their
theory they studied 16 healthy fasting male volunteers for cortisol and
catecholamine level changes. The participants were assigned to either the
control group or the experiment group (those anticipating a humorous event).
Blood was drawn from both groups prior to the event
(anticipation), four times during the event, and three times afterward
(event and residual effect). Analysis showed that the blood levels in the
anticipatory phase decreased for stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and
dopac in the experimental group. Trend analysis showed a progressive pattern
of the decrease for the three hormones through the event.
As a result, the researchers suggest that anticipating
a positive event can decrease stress hormones that can be detrimental when
chronically released. These findings have implications for understanding the
modalities that can benefit stress reduction in health and wellness
programs.
The “Biology of Hope”
Norman Cousins was a journalist and an editor of the
Saturday Review. He was also a pioneer in the idea that beliefs,
thoughts and emotions have biological effects (“biotranslation”). His view
about the body’s unrecognized ability to heal itself was captured in his
1979 book, “Anatomy of an Illness (As Perceived by the Patient).”
Forty years ago, few scientists would likely have
agreed with Cousins. Today, researchers like Berk are beginning to pinpoint
exactly what thoughts can drive which affects. Researchers like Berk are
finding that, in addition to what resides in our bodies, what resides in our
brains and mind is important, too.
*****
Physiology
is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function to create
health or disease. The American Physiological Society (APS;
www.The-APS.org/press) has been an integral part of this discovery
process since it was established in 1887.
# # #
NOTE TO EDITORS: The APS annual meeting is part
of the Experimental Biology 2008 (EB ’08) gathering and will be held April
5-9, 2008 at the San Diego, CA Convention Center. To schedule an interview
with Dr. Berk please contact Donna Krupa at 301.634.7209 (office),
703.967.2751 (cell) or
DKrupa@the-APS.org.
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